Imperial sized materials

This topic has 12 replies, 8 voices, and was last updated 23 February 2012 at 23:04 by M0BND.

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17 November 2011 at 18:15 #77998
Peter Simpson 2
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@petersimpson2
I’m looking to build “Speedy” in 5″ gauge. Can you still purchase material such as black steel plate etc in imperial sizes. The frames are fabricated in 1/8″ plate and all the dimensions are imperial. I would of thought the change to metric sizes would be a little complicated. Any assistance to a “newbie” would be much appriciated.
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17 November 2011 at 18:15 #5755
Peter Simpson 2
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@petersimpson2
17 November 2011 at 18:21 #77999
JasonB
Moderator
@jasonb
Plate and sheet are now metric so you will have to use 3mm and adjust the cross members to suit and anything else it affects.

Round, square, flat, hex etc are still available in imperial

J
17 November 2011 at 21:19 #78011
Terry Lane
Participant
@terrylane
Jason’s got it! Tho’ for a 5″g loco you could just about absorb the difference between 1/8 and 3mm without doing anything
17 November 2011 at 21:42 #78012
Brian Dickinson 2
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@briandickinson2
Hi,

I have quite a bit of 1/8″ if you let me know what size you need i am sure i will be able to help.
23 February 2012 at 14:49 #85555
Dithering
Participant
@dithering
1/8" mild steel is still available. I bought some 3" x 1/8" for loco frames just last week. Look at http://www.arenastock.co.uk.

What I can't find is bright mild steel angle in imperial sizes. I want some 1" x 1" x 1/8" for buffer beams and I can't find any. I can get 25mm x 25mm x 3mm and I might have to settle for that.

Regards,

Brian Thompson.
23 February 2012 at 16:29 #85561
JasonB
Moderator
@jasonb
The problem with your bright imperial flat stock which I agree is readily available will be that it has a tendancy to move when the axle box cutouts are done. Thats why itys preferable to use black plate which is now only metric.

J
23 February 2012 at 16:47 #85563
Dithering
Participant
@dithering
Jason: Do you mean that it changes shape because internal stresses are being released and that black steel doesn't have such stresses?

The drawings I am currently working from (and others I have) specifies bright mild steel which is why I just bought some.

Perhaps cooking it in the oven would releive the stresses!

Regards,

Brian.
23 February 2012 at 17:33 #85569
JasonB
Moderator
@jasonb
Thats it bright tends to move more than black. Holding at red heat for a few mins then allowing to cool as slowly as possible will help to stop it moving.

Bright does tend to be a bit easier to work and has nice square corners, rails sheared from sheet can have a bit of a rough edge.

Just as an example I cut this crank out of a bit of 1"x2" bright and it moved 0.040" once the waste had been stitch drilled out, I could actually see it curling apart as I drilled.There was enough to play with though so no problems.

J
23 February 2012 at 17:33 #85570
JasonB
Moderator
@jasonb
Double post

Edited By JasonB on 23/02/2012 17:33:23
23 February 2012 at 19:18 #85578
NJH
Participant
@njh
Hi Brian

You say :- "I want some 1" x 1" x 1/8" for buffer beams and I can't find any. I can get 25mm x 25mm x 3mm and I might have to settle for that."

I doubt that 0.4mm difference in width and 0.18mm difference in thickness will be of much consequence in a buffer beam.

Regards

Norman
23 February 2012 at 20:45 #85593
Sub Mandrel
Participant
@submandrel
> I doubt that 0.4mm difference in width and 0.18mm difference in thickness will be of much consequence in a buffer beam.

Bang go your chances of the DoE Trophy…

Actually Reeves have got a box of foot lengths of the stuff going reasonably cheap to the right of the counter. A bit grubby and not quite 90 degrees so you have to mill it true. Used it for all the big joins on my shunter chassis.

Neil

Edited By Stub Mandrel on 23/02/2012 20:47:19
23 February 2012 at 23:04 #85605
M0BND
Participant
@m0bnd
Black plate used to be – as I know it, BS4360 43A, which is now S275. However, as I have tried to source for current parts is not readily available. However, S275 JR which is 43B is the more available and superseded material grade to 43A. This is what I would now count as 'boiler plate' for everyday use.

Try Wessex Metals ( http://www.wessexmetalstock.co.uk) or Precision Profiles (http://www.precisionprofiles.co.uk). – I cannot verify if they will supply to the public but always worth a try eh???

Hope this helps.

Andy.

Edited By M0BND on 23/02/2012 23:09:36
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